Bhubaneswar: State Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary, Smt. Anu Garg, reviewed the progress of various government programmes and discussed common issues and their solutions at the district-level with all Collectors through a virtual meeting. The meeting was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan conference hall and attended by Secretaries and senior officials from various departments.
The meeting reviewed the infrastructure of Anganwadi centers across various districts in the state. The Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Shubha Sharma presented the status of Anganwadi centers in the state. A total of 74,224 Anganwadi centers in different districts were reviewed. Instructions have been given to provide basic facilities like electricity, drinking water, toilets, and kitchens to all Anganwadi centers. Funds have been allocated for this purpose, and it was emphasized to ensure 100% coverage of these facilities in all Anganwadi centers.
All centers were instructed to complete the necessary work by the end of November after conducting field visits. The Collectors were directed to expedite the construction of new Anganwadi centers in districts where sites had been identified but work had not yet begun. The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLA-LAD) scheme, which has been allocated ₹735 crore for 2025-26. The fund has been increased from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore per assembly constituency. The revised guidelines and portal for the scheme were launched by the Chief Minister in August 2025, allowing for online submission of project proposals, sanction, fund allocation, and utilization certificates.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRAR), which is being implemented in 15 districts with World Bank assistance. The project aims to improve 538 minor irrigation projects, promote fisheries, animal husbandry, agriculture, horticulture, and irrigation. Collectors were advised to regularly review the project’s impact and effectiveness at the district level.
Additionally, the meeting discussed the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project, which focuses on building climate-resilient infrastructure in Odisha. The meeting also reviewed the financial progress of various schemes and projects, emphasizing the need for regular State-Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) meetings to ensure convergence between banks and government departments.
The meeting emphasized the importance of regular District-Level Bankers’ Committee (DLBC) and Block-Level Bankers’ Committee (BLBC) meetings to review progress, address issues, and facilitate financial inclusion. The meeting also discussed the implementation of CSP Plus outlets in panchayats without bank branches and the need to address issues related to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra, advised Collectors to regularly review the progress of various development projects at the district-level, address pending issues, and utilize the District Inspection Portal effectively. He also emphasized the need to complete projects within the stipulated timeframe.
